Chest drains

5 Chest drains

Background

Chest drains are placed for the drainage of pleural space collections. These may include pneumothoraces (Chapter 18), pleural effusions (Chapter 20) and haemothoraces in trauma patients.

Chest drains may be either large-bore or fine-bore (pigtail drain), the latter being the type most often inserted in the radiology department under ultrasound guidance. Large-bore chest drains are inserted using a blind technique so the position should be carefully scrutinized on a CXR. Remember that ultrasound-guided drains can also be misplaced.

Radiological features

CXRs are performed for a number of reasons:

1. To ensure satisfactory placement.

2. To monitor the response of the pathology to drainage – serial CXRs are often performed in these patients. Often the duration of tube drainage is determined by the CXR appearances.

3. For detection of complications.

Fig. 5.1 This patient has an appropriately positioned drain within a large right pneumothorax (arrow).

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Tags: On-Call X-Rays Made Easy

Aug 20, 2016 | Posted by admin in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off

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